Contents

History

Owen Anwen Prichard

Owen's parents were poor immigrants from Wales, whom moved to Barrie, ON. His parents taught him Welsh, and him being a fairly bright child, and a popular hockey player in a local sports club.

During the Great Nuclear War, Owen escaped into the countryside with a large group of survivalists with whom he socialized. This group became a prominent raider gang by 1968, known as the Rippers. Their leader was a man by the nickname of Khan Johnson, known for his prowess in combat, and good mind for strategy. They rode on horseback and wore armor in the style of brigandine. They were armed with war-hammers and spears, and were known for savagery.

The Rippers mainly attacked small farms and villages and ran protection rackets, and clashed with other gangs. Owen rose in rank, eventually becoming the second-hand. He served in this position until 1975. That year, Khan Johnson was done in by a bullet to the head during a routine raid.

Most of Ontario was reduced to a medieval lifestyle, farming for their food, and living in huts of wicker, raising goats and longhair cows.

"The Ailbobi"

Upon Khan's death, Owen took over the gang, and started to promote his "Ailbobi" or "re-hash". He convinced his men that protection rackets were not where the money was. He moved the gang north, onto the South Bruce Peninsula, an area characterized by small farmsteads. The Rippers moved into an abandoned fortification, and began to assimilate the countryside.

In the summer of 1976, the Rippers invaded South Bruce. Many settlements quickly surrendered, offering their men as tribute, these men joining Owens growing force. Tribute was paid in resources and men, and Owen's project grew. Eventually, it came time to seize a large settlement.

Soggy Shores

On the coast of Huron, there was a bustling fishing city of Soggy Shores. Built right on the coast, this city had formidable defenses, namely a 60 ft. wall and garrison of 1,000. Owen had a plan however, and his new force of 3,000 was all he would need.

Owen had men disguised as fishermen set fire to the harbor, distracting the populace. Meanwhile, Owen's order were to bring 15 baskets of earth a day to a specified spot some 60 yards away from the wall, after which was free time for all soldiers. Incentives were given for additional baskets delivered. In this fashion, Owen had constructed an Agger, and stormed Soggy Shores, whose mayor surrendered quickly.

Soon, more cities fell to Owen's forces, and his small empire grew.

"Caniad"

By 1978, Owen had made immense military gains, detaching high-ranking members to control settlements, and demanding tribute from farms above certain size. Owen decided to consolidate his power, and that July, crowned himself as King. None objected, for Owen had been even-handed, if cruel in war. Owen's realm stretched from the northern reach of South Bruce to Brampton on the edge of the slag plains.

Colonizing Manitoula

In 1980, Owen sent forth envoys to the isle of Manitoula. More to come.

Slag War

In 1978, Niagara constructed a colony city, igniting a war with the Owenites. See Slag War.

Owen-Corsair War

Hierarchy

King: Owen is the King of his kingdom, and the head of state. He has direct control over the Royal Reserve, a parcel of land centered around the capital of Shepard.

Flag of Royal Reserve

Heir Apparent: Owen's oldest Prince is his Heir Apparent, and has a large county under his control.

Prince: Owen's sons, often placed in charge of a "Dywysogaeth" or Principality.

Count: an appointed leader, a count controls a County, a parcel of land containing farms and cities

Flag of County Lle Aner

Lord: a lord, often a veteran who has been rewarded with land, controls a large farm of approximately 1,000 acres. This farm is under his control, excluding that which he has sold to others. He is subservient to the King, but more directly his Count.

Wildcount: a Wildcount is in charge of untamed land, unmanaged forests. Often a lord who has fallen out of favor, or a veteran who has not earned the privillege of Lordship, though is worthy of note.

Ryddhaed: a free farmer, merchant, or other skilled worker

Weithiwr: a serf in simple terms

Military

Owen's troops are very medieval. Ryddhaed and Weithiwr are levied as slingers, or in exchange for extra salt rations, become trained skirmishers. These skirmishers use a brigandine style armor and use pikes. He also has elite cavalry and heavy infantry

Standard Kit

Waterskin

Wool Cloak

Rations of one week

Trousers

Tunic

Personal Arms

Short Sling

Long Sling

Skirmisher Kit

Brigandine

Waterskin

Wool Cloak

Pike

Helm

A Heavy Infantry Helm

Heavy Infantry Kit

Full Plate Mail

Helm

Waterskin

Dorwyr

Culture

Lifestyle

The average Owenite is a Ryddhaed or Weithiwr, and lives his life on a farm. Every man is required by law to be armed, though whether these weapons are allowed to be carried openly depends on the Lord or Count. A common man lives in a house made of woven branches with a thatched roof, and keeps goats and/or chickens. He has a parcel of land to farm, fenced into many small field for easy management. The most common crops are corn, wheat and barley. In small patches outside the village and Lord's mansion are small patches of forest. These pockets of trees are heavily managed, the underbrush cleared, and the trees coppiced for harvest. only useful herbs are allowed to grow in these forests. Most villages get their water from rivers, creeks, or wells when applicable. The Lord has a mansion, where many local women work as servants, maids, and other roles. At the Lord's House, there are cattle, apothecaries, trained soldiers, and skilled craftsmen are allowed to build their homes "In the Shadow of the Lord's House".

Clothing

The average man wears woolen clothes in many layers, for warmth. They make gloves, socks, and hats in "nalebinding" fashion, with a single needle (this method is sturdier). Wool is spun with a drop spindle, and is often done during conversation or to kill time. Wool is dyed many rich colours, and dress is as flamboyant as the wearer's wealth allows.

Language

Owen is a native Welsh speaker, and his conquests have spread the language. Welsh is notable as a Brythonic language, being very different from Germanic and Romantic tongues, with unique phonemes and structure. In the Kingdom, their are two varieties of Welsh spoken. There is High Welsh, the proper tongue of Owen, his immediate followers, and learned Lords. And there is Low Welsh, spoken by the common people and vassals to the king. Low Welsh has many English words, and a more Germanic pronunciation.

Unique Regional Items

Bara-bara: a kind of bun with a thick crust, spiced with ginger.

Dorwyr: a unique sword with a heavy cutting edge. It has a natural forward leaning grip, and more decorative Dorwyr have many fullers and etchings

Styfsplygger: a common man or traveler's weapon. It appears as a quarterstaff, a useful weapon in of itself. On one end, there is what appears to be a leather wrapping, but when unwound, reveals itself to be a sling for a staff sling. A knife with a lanyard (upon which a pin is attached) and hollow handle can be attached to the end, the pin put in place, becoming a spear.